Munich, 28th May 2011: With the dissipation of the Icelandic ash plume, the airspace over the Olympiahalle in Munich cleared up for the premiere of the Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs and a much-anticipated display of high-flying antics from twelve freestyle motocross professionals performing their most audacious backflips. Australian Josh Sheehan once again rotated into another dimension to clinch his fourth successive victory in as many events.




The fans were naturally rooting for the five Germans on the bill: Kai Haase, Tom Ferber, Lukas Weis, Hannes Ackermann and Fabian Bauersachs. Although they pulled out all the stops, not a single one of them made it through to the final round, Bauersachs finishing seventh, Ackermann eighth and local lad Lukas Weis ninth. The unluckiest man on the evening was two-time world champion Remi Bizouard (FRA) who developed engine problems after his second jump and consequently had to abandon his run. Which meant that the finalists were Romain Izzo (FRA), Red Bull rider Petr Pilat (CZE), Jose Miralles (ESP), David Rinaldo (FRA), Maikel Melero (ESP) and Josh Sheehan.


Speed & Style – Lukas Weis (Winner) and Jose Miralles

Because of the two mobile landing ramps this time, there was no Highest Air competition, but there was the usual MAXXIS Race & Style Contest plus – after a long absence – a whip contest. Local hero Lukas Weis took victory in the MAXXIS Race & Style, which went down a treat with this audience. Sheehan triumphed in the Hein Gericke Best Whip.


Fab Bauersachs rode great after renewing his suspension

For the first time in ages, Romain Izzo qualified for a NIGHT of the JUMPs final. After a few solid tricks, he seemed to run out of steam and was unable to improve on his qualifying rank. This was also due in part to Petr Pilat who – inter alia – performed a Side-saddle Take-off Backflip to Side-saddle Landing which secured him fifth place overall. Jose Miralles had twisted his back in training which inhibited him in the preliminary round. But in the final, he gritted his teeth to pull off all his best stunts, though these were still not quite good enough for a podium.

Maikel Melero performing the Airplane (Onehanded Crack Nac)

The three top spots were decided in a hard-fought battle between Spain, France and Australia. Melero and Rinaldo countered each other with trick bombshells, both laying on a NIGHT of the JUMPs Premiere in the shape of the Airplane: the panel of judges were so impressed that they awarded them 404 points. But because Rinaldo had scored more points excluding scrapped results, he took the runner-up spot ahead of Melero.


David Rinaldo rode consistant and ended 2nd

Towering over everyone else yet again was Josh Sheehan. His 360, Clicker 360, Lazyflip, Tsunami Flip,
Killer Whip, Superman Seatgrab Backflip and much more besides saw him through to his fourth victory on the trot.


Josh Sheehan won the 4th time in a row the NotJ

The IFMXF World Ranking is still led by Jose Miralles (352.5 points) of Spain. Best of the German contingent is Fabian Bauersachs ranked fifth.


The winners: Rinaldo 2nd, Sheehan 1st and Melero 3rd

The last two NIGHT of the JUMPs contests before the summer break are scheduled for the weekend of 18th-19th June in Penza (Russia), when the riders will have the opportunity to accumulate more points towards the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. Munich-based fans should mark 28th April on their 2012 calendars. That's when NIGHT of the JUMPs will be staging a world championship debut in the Bavarian capital.